They may not be the famous faces we see on the red carpet, but the writers are some of the most important people when it comes to our favorite TV shows.

Here is a list of the 2012 Emmy nominated writers, with some commentary. Because just mentioning them isn’t enough in my book. If you’re on the list, reach out to us for interview opportunities!

WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Chris McKenna, “Community” – Community is one of the best-written comedies around. Loved the video skit to see Donald Glover “helping” McKenna.
Lena Dunham, “Girls” – I’d love to be bitter and call her overrated, but she’s not.
Louis C.K., “Louie” – Winner, listen, he’s amazing. That’s fact.
Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation” – We have another amazing person here. I mean, Amy is so talented but she doesn’t lord it over anyone. Instead, she invites us to the party like the one nice girl at high school who was also a cheerleader.
Michael Schur, “Parks and Recreation” – Parks and Recreation is so strong, and Schur is very much part of the reason why.

WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Julian Fellowes, “Downton Abbey” – I eat, sleep, breathe the beauty that is Downton Abbey. He’s masterful.
Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon & Gideon Raff, “Homeland” – These are immensely talented writers. The show doesn’t have room for any moment that isn’t strong.
Semi Chellas & Matthew Weiner, “Mad Men” – Listen, what can I say about any of the Mad Men writers other than they are experts at what they do.
Andre Jacquemetton & Maria Jacquemetton, “Mad Men” – See above!
Erin Levy & Matthew Weiner, “Mad Men” – See above, above! Mad Men has some of the best writing on TV in terms of dramas for sure. So I do agree with all of these noms.

WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL

Danny Strong, “Game Change”
Ted Mann, Ronald Parker & Bill Kerby, “Hatfields & McCoys”
Abi Morgan, “The Hour”
Neil Cross, “Luther”
Steven Moffat, “Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia” – Here’s the only one I can comment on because I watched it. and listen, as a Doctor Who fan, I’m obviously in a very strong love/hate relationship with Steven Moffat. He’s wonderful. He’s like Joss Whedon. He gives us what we need, not just what we want. As Kurt Vonnegut advised, you’ve gotta kill your babies in writing. And Moffat does it in a excruciatingly beautiful way that always feels poignant.

“Portlandia,” Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel & Karey Dornetto – I don’t watch all of these shows. I mean, I watch SNL some times. But what I watch always is Portlandia. And these are amazing writers, giving us something on TV that no one else gives us.